PROVIDENCE, RI – Providence Children’s Museum’s first major offsite project – the Children’s Discovery Library, an interactive and enriching environment for young children and their families – will open January 28 at Providence Public Library (150 Empire Street in Providence).

A unique collaboration between two community institutions, Providence Children’s Museum was commissioned by Providence Public Library to redesign its children’s room and transform it into a captivating space for early learning. The Children’s Discovery Library will foster young children’s love of reading; promote parents and caregivers’ understanding of the importance of early literacy activities; and provide professional support for early childhood educators. Key components of the space include:

* “The Forest,” a whimsical woodland environment that inspires imagination and story making with a tree trunk hideaway, giant leaves and other playful props. An artful alphabet mobile of translucent green and yellow birch leaves with letters hidden among them hangs overhead.

* Twenty-six intricately carved alphabet-block doors that open to reveal astronauts and apples, bears and balls and other alliterative objects from A to Z.

* And magnetic poetry, literacy and story-making activities and games.

Providence Children’s Museum is committed to reaching beyond its walls to share expertise in play and learning – including expertise in designing innovative learning environments. The Museum has conceived, designed and constructed artful, imaginative spaces for children and families for over 30 years.

“It has been a joy to create an engaging and fun play and learning environment for Providence Public Library, said Museum Executive Director Janice O’Donnell. “The Library and the Museum have long been resources for one another, supporting and enhancing a shared commitment to children and family learning. We know each other and our community well – we are natural partners.”

The Providence Public Library and its Early Literacy Learning Center librarians and staff have been leaders in the Providence and Rhode Island early learning community for decades. “We are very fortunate to have been able to work with the professionals at Providence Children’s Museum to create what will surely be a popular early learning destination for Rhode Island children and families,” said Library Director Dale Thompson.

The Children’s Discovery Library at Providence Public Library opens on Saturday, January 28 with a ribbon cutting ceremony and fun activities for the whole family from 12:30 to 5:00 PM. For more information, visit www.provlib.org.